FATHER FRETS OVER CAMPUS MORALS

Abigail Van BurenCHICAGO TRIBUNE

Dear Abby: As the father of a daughter returning to college for her second year, I am upset and angry. I realize college students are considered adults, but are they really ready for this enormous step? I think the larger percentage of students are still children being forced to grow up too fast.

I get angry when I think of how hard my wife and I have to work to earn the $16,000-plus that it costs for tuition. But the cost doesn`t anger me as much as the lack of moral supervision these ''adults'' get at college. When I visited our daughter`s campus last fall, I was shocked to discover that the dorms and students` townhouses reminded me of the brothels I have read about. I don`t care how many talks parents have with their children, it`s not fair to subject them to this kind of temptation. I wonder how many parents feel as uneasy as I do. Or have our moral standards sunk so low that parents are no longer concerned with the morals of their children? This may be an interesting poll for you to take. Maybe the results would bring about a change on our campuses. Then, instead of passing out condoms, the schools should stop the cohabitation going on at our supposedly respectable campuses!

Upset Parent

Dear Upset: Most parents are very much concerned about the morals of their children, but when a grown child goes off to college, parents cannot expect the college authorities to assume guardianship of their children`s sexual behavior. I think college students bring their moral values to college- they don`t find them there. If young adults are inclined to fool around, they will find a way to do it on their lunch hour-living at home.

Dear Abby: I was married in June 1985 in a Catholic ceremony. The marriage didn`t last long; we split two months later. We were legally divorced and now I am seeking an annulment from the church. Once that goes through, can I truthfully say I was never married?

The courts say the marriage did exist. The church says it didn`t, and my analyst says, ''Use your judgment and say whatever is appropriate to whomever you`re with.''

I would like to forget I ever met the bum. Would I be lying if I told everybody I had never been married?

No Liar in Kansas

Dear No Liar: Yes. You were married briefly, and that`s what you should say. The details concerning the annulment and divorce can come later. Divorce is nothing to be ashamed of. It occurs in the best of families. There`s only one thing that is worse than making a mistake-and that`s perpetuating it.

Dear Abby: You advised readers not to cancel their newspapers when they go on vacation because someone at the newspaper may tip off professional burglars as to when they`re leaving town and coming back. You suggested that a trusted neighbor be asked to pick up the newspaper.

Well, I happen to be one of those trusted (and practical) neighbors who picks up the newspaper for a vacationing neighbor.

However, just to confuse the burglars, when my neighbor leaves town without canceling his paper, I cancel mine and read his!